Day 10-11 Cho La (17,486 ft)
We didn't care for our lodge in Gorakshep. It was cold, dirty, the dining room was crowded, and the altitude of Gorakshep (16,864 ft) was wearing on us. We decided to not stay a second night. Instead we began our trek to Dzongla. I loved the afternoon walk! It was one of my favorites. The crowds thinned. The trail led along a steep mountainside with the valley dropping off far below and the peaks rising up and vanishing in wisps of clouds. I walked slowly and relished it. When we arrived in Dzongla (15,358 feet) it was snowing lightly.
Day 11 - Cho La Pass (17,486 ft)
A problem developed with one of our participants. He has something like a cold (not altitude sickness) that is weakening him. He decided to turn back with Dil, one of our porters, and meet us in Namche later, where our loop trek rejoins itself. For the rest in our group, we crossed the 2nd high pass, Cho La (17,486 ft). We left at 6:30 AM and made it to the top of the pass by 10:30. We had beautiful weather all way to the top. The sun and lack of wind made it very warm. The snow from the day before left only a dusting which quickly melted. The pass was beautiful, but as soon as we left clouds began to roll in and the wind started to pick up. On the way down I was back in my down jacket and layers. The landscape on the other side of the pass is brown and barren, like Modor, from Lord of the Rings, commented a trail friend.
View Kala Patthar
We are partway up Kala Patthar, looking back down valley.
Chopper at Gorak Shep
IMG_5357
Take Off
IMG_5359
Mattress Load
2017-04-13 13 18 45
Lakpa Looks
IMG_5372
River of Clouds
IMG_5376
Cloudy Embrace
IMG_5384
Dusting of Snow
At the end of the day we got a light dusting of snow.
Green Valley Lodge
As we got to our lodge, snow started to fall.
Dzongla Morning
We woke the next morning to a beautiful light coat of snow.
The Himalayan
A beautiful dusting of snow in remains at Dzongla. Ama Dablam rises to 22,250 feet across the valley.
Peaks Ahead
IMG_5431
The View Behind
We are climbing higher and higher.
Steep Trail
IMG_5444
Trail Friends
I ran into a familiar face and hiked together for a while.
Look!
I don't remember what she is pointing at.
Lakpa on the Trail
IMG_5455
Cairn
IMG_5463
Trail Fun
IMG_5481
Warm in the Snow
It was warm in the full sun on the snow.
Microspikes
We put on crampons for traction while crossing the glacier.
Glacier
IMG_5505
Mike and Israel
IMG_5513
GoPro on a Stick
IMG_5529
Prayer Flags
Prayer flags are always draped on prominent points.
Cho La (17,486 ft)
This is my group. There are just three of us with Krishna and Lakpa.
You're on GoPro
We are on Cho La Pass (17,782′) in the Himalayas. This is the top of our 2nd pass on the Three Passes of Everst trek in Nepal.
Raj and Cecie
Raj was Cecie's guide.
Heading Down
As soon as we left the pass, the clouds and wind picked up. We were so lucky that we started the day early!
Modor
This is now the other side of the pass, a bit bleak looking.
Days 10 and 11
Day 10 took us from Gorakshep to Dzongla. Day 11 took us over Cho La Pass to Thankgnak.
Trail to Cho La Pass
Cho La Pass is somewhere ahead of us.
Gorakshep (16,942 ft)
Gorak Shep or Gorakshep (Nepali: गोराशप) is a frozen lakebed covered with sand in Nepal, and also the name of the small settlement that sits at its edge at 5,164 m (16,942 ft) elevation, near Mount Everest. - wikipedia
IMG_5353
IMG_5367
IMG_5373
IMG_5360
IMG_5375
IMG_5401
IMG_5407
IMG_5398
IMG_5410
Overdressed
I am wearing my wind breaker over my down jacket. My down hood covers my head.
IMG_5429
IMG_5430
On the Way to Cho La
Our friend looks back toward Ama Dablam while on the the way to Cho La Pass (17,486 ft), the second pass of the Three Passes of Everest Trek.
IMG_5485
IMG_5506